I know now what killed my bird. What next?

[schmedlap]

I wish trap and release was a valid choice for us. I honestly don't understand why it isn't. If the bird is unharmed in the process, just rattled a bit emotionally, I should be able to trap and release as a form of discouragement. Unfortunately, the law we all know and love (/s) considers this "harassment" and therefore just as illegal as sending it to god.

remember the 3 S's
Shoot
Shovel
Shut up

 

[CrazyChickenMamma]

I was in the yard today, sunbathing 3 feet from the coop, when I saw it. A hawk came over the house, barely visible because it was so high. And then it circled around. And again. And kept coming lower until I could really see the detail on it. Taking no chances, I ran to grab my birds. I must have looked insane hugging six birds in my arms running like a madman across my yard, but they're all safely inside and the hawk took off.

So, that kind of confirms my suspicions. I have two things that are excruciatingly detrimental going on with my flock; one is that my d'anvers are snack size, two is that they're nearly white and stick out like delicious sore thumbs on my green grass. Seeking answers to my problem, the solutions provided have many mixed reviews. A few current topics on hawks suggest owl decoys are worthless, and I am worthless to try and protect them by being in the yard with them. I'm unsure about the efficacy of things that glitter and shine, such as strung up CD's/mirrors, any commentary on this is helpful.

My question is, I watch crows, blue jays and ravens bully the snot out of hawks and eagles on the regular. The aerial catfights are interesting to watch (when you're not worried about your pets becoming snacks). I have never, ever seen an owl attack a hawk. So why are owls even a suggestion as a decoy to deter hawks? Would raven/crow/jay decoys not be better? Has anyone tried this? I don't know that they exist, but I'm crafty and I know I can "nail it" for accuracy if that's what I gotta do.

Besides keeping them penned in for the rest of their lives, is there anything that works? Like, actually works?

Thanks everyone.

Hello, that is just so scary! I’ve always been worried about that as we have many birds of prey here. So before we turned out our flock my husband spent weeks installing “Hawk Blocker” netting over our large chicken turnout, so far so good. Hopefully you can zoom in and see the netting but I added a closeup of what the netting actually looks like. The idea is that the hawks don’t test it because the holes appears very small to them.

 

[MaryZoe]

I used to lose a chicken about every 3-4 months. I called it "Mother Nature's Taxes." I tried decoys and hanging old DVDs so the shine and movement would keep the hawks away. Nothing worked. Then I got Livestock Guardian Dogs. Once they were over 2 and chicken safe, they learned the rooster's "HAWK!" cry. Sometimes they even see the hawk before the rooster does. They then chase the hawk away with their barks and enthusiasm. I have lost only 2 or 3 chicks in the past 5 years since we've had the dogs. A much better record!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I used to lose a chicken about every 3-4 months. I called it "Mother Nature's Taxes." I tried decoys and hanging old DVDs so the shine and movement would keep the hawks away. Nothing worked. Then I got Livestock Guardian Dogs. Once they were over 2 and chicken safe, they learned the rooster's "HAWK!" cry. Sometimes they even see the hawk before the rooster does. They then chase the hawk away with their barks and enthusiasm. I have lost only 2 or 3 chicks in the past 5 years since we've had the dogs. A much better record!

What kind of dogs are these? Did you train them yourself? And can we get pics?

 

[SarahLadd]

My australian shepherd would rather play bowling with my chickens than protect them..

 

[McChooky]

My Basset watches mine thru the fence and licks his lips.Hmmmm

 

[BigBlueHen53]

My australian shepherd would rather play bowling with my chickens than protect them..

My Sheltie does that on occasion too, but she is a good guardian. Because of her we don't have losses to coyotes.

 

[SarahLadd]

I admittedly have two dogs, and my rough collie is definitely a better candidate. At the moment she and my birds coexist peacefully together but mostly just ignore each other entirely.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Beautiful dogs! I love the rough!

 

[jt1950]

I read about this fencing method to deter hawks. Mind you I have not tried it because my yard is not big enough. It allows the chickens to still range in a larger area than a run and you don’t have to cover it. Basically the idea is to place fencing four feet apart in a maze type senario. The hawks won’t be able to spread their wings once they’re inside the fencing because of the close quarters. Will they land on the fencing? I’m sure they will. Will they dive bomb into the fencing? I can see that happening. This is just a different method of placing fencing, specifically to deter arial predators, I read about.

I babysit my flock while they free range. Keeping music playing and listening to my roosters has kept the juvenile, and adult, hawks away. One day I had 10 turkey vultures watching my flock. I scared them all off with a loud bang from a metal stick I carry just for those jerks. I do have fake owls but those work better to keep the foxes away. Fake crows will attract real crows to your yard. I have seen the crows around my yard scare off the hawks but they aren’t always reliable.

turkey vultures will attack chickens ?